The British comic book community shares a peculiar quirk: we actually look forward to November. Why? Two words: Thought Bubble.

On Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th November, we’ll be laying out our wares in New Dock Hall (tables 90-92). There you’ll find signed books, exclusive prints and discounts flying in the face of Brexit, as well as four very special guests.

Box Brown visits Thought Bubble to celebrate the release of his brand new graphic novel, Tetris. As well as signing copies of the book throughout the weekend, he’ll discuss the game’s complex and intriguing history with Paul Gravett at a free event on the Saturday (“Tetris: The Games People Play”, News Room, 12.10-13.00).

Flying in from the Netherlands, Aimée de Jongh: considered one of the brightest talents on the Dutch comics scene, de Jongh’s trip to Thought Bubble coincides with the release of her debut graphic novel, The Return of the Honey Buzzard. Winner of the Prix Saint-Michel, de Jongh’s book is a masterfully crafted story about grief, love, our actions and their consequences. Here’s what Starburst had to say about it in their ten-star review.

Last but not least, John Reppion and Leah Moore join the SelfMadeHero contingent, signing copies of their latest graphic novel, Ghost Stories of an Antiquary, Vol. 1, which collects four adaptations of stories by M.R. James: “Canon Alberic’s Scrapbook” (illustrated by Aneke), “Lost Hearts” (illustrated by Kit Buss), “The Mezzotint” (illustrated by Fouad Mezher) and “The Ash-Tree” (illustrated by Alisdair Wood). Expect spine-chilling tales of spectral artworks and vanishing children.

Thought Bubble takes place on Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th November at the Leeds Dock and Royal Armouries (10:00-17:00 both days). You’ll find SelfMadeHero on tables 90-92 in New Dock Hall. For more information, check out the full festival programme.

Admired by writers from H.P. Lovecraft to Ruth Rendell, M.R. James is the acknowledged master of the English ghost story. Disdaining gore in favour of atmosphere and suggestion, his enduring tales of are masterpieces of understated horror.

Writers Leah Moore and John Reppion have crafted adaptations of four stories from James’s first collection, Ghost Stories of an Antiquary: “Canon Alberic’s Scrapbook” (illustrated by Aneke), “Lost Hearts” (illustrated by Kit Buss), “The Mezzotint” (illustrated by Fouad Mezher) and “The Ash-Tree” (illustrated by Alisdair Wood).

To mark the release of Ghost Stories of an Antiquary, Vol. 1, Leah Moore and John Reppion will be giving away a bundle of M.R. James goodies to one lucky winner every Friday of this month. Head over to their website or Twitter feeds (@johnreppion & @leahmoore) to find out how you can win not only a copy of the graphic novel but original artwork, an audiobook, a limited-edition poster and more.

Debuting at the Lakes International Comic Art Festival this month, Ghost Stories of an Antiquary, Vol. 1 comprises graphic tales that are at once true to their source and powerfully reimagined for a visual medium. Lovecraft called M.R. James “a literary weird fictionist of the very first rank”. Leah Moore and John Reppion’s latest collection joins our Lovecraft anthologies among the ranks of a growing canon of disturbing, unputdownable graphic adaptations.

Fresh from his appearance at The Lakes International Comic Art Festival, Mike Medaglia returns to the Mind Body Soul Experience in London. The event takes place from 21st-23rd October inside the beautiful Alexandra Palace.

You’ll find Medaglia at our dedicated One Year Wiser stand (table 81). He’ll be signing copies of the latest addition to the series, One Year Wiser: A Gratitude Journal, as well as offering up other beautiful printed goods: prints, greetings cards, calendars – not to mention his bestselling gift and colouring books.

But that’s not all: he’ll also be leading a workshop, “Illustrate Your Mantra”, both on the Friday (11:30-12:30) and on the Sunday (11:00-12:00). Join him to find out how to bring an inspirational quote to life through illustration.

We look forward to seeing you in the Palace! In the meantime, you might like to read Medaglia’s latest Huffington Post blog, which looks at the power of gratitude and the art of living gratefully.

Forty years ago French comics veteran Edmond Baudoin abandoned a career in accountancy to devote himself to bandes dessinées. In October he makes another wise move by travelling to Kendal for the Lakes International Comic Art Festival, which takes place from 14th-16th October. He’ll be joined by guests including Craig Thompson, Bryan Lee O’Malley and Martin Rowson.

Baudoin’s UK visit coincides with the release of his graphic biography, Dalí. Commissioned by the Pompidou Centre, this compelling, original and expressive graphic novel is the latest addition to our Art Masters series.

There is no shortage of labels for the great Surrealist painter. Was he a madman? A genius? An exhibitionist? Baudoin paints an inimitable portrait of an artist as well known for his acts of public bravado as for his extraordinary work. What emerges from his quest to discover the man behind the myth is a heartfelt and original account of two artistic worlds, each possessed of its own rare intensity, meeting for the first time.

Baudoin will share a stage with Craig Thompson on Saturday 15th October (“Motion and Emotion”, Brewery Arts Centre, 1-2pm). The two artists will be doing what they do best – draw! – while also taking the time to discuss their work with Paul Gravett.

But that’s not all. You may have seen Leah Moore and John Reppion on the festival’s guest list ; you may also be looking forward to their discussion of graphic adaptations at the Brewery Arts Centre (“The Write Stuff”, Sunday 16th, 11-12pm). Well, on the SelfMadeHero stand in the Comics Clocktower (tables 30-31) we’ll be debuting the first volume of their incredible adaptation of M.R. James’ Ghost Stories of an Antiquary.

Together with artists Aneke, Kit Buss, Fouad Mezher and Alisdair Wood, Leah Moore and John Reppion have crafted adaptations of four masterpieces of understated horror: “Canon Alberic’s Scrapbook”, “Lost Hearts”, “The Mezzotint” and “The Ash-tree”. Expect your spine to be chilled by vanishing children, spectral artworks and vengeance from beyond the grave.

But after darkness, there must come light… Mike Medaglia’s One Year Wiser: A Gratitude Journal, released in September, helps us keep a lasting record of richness and variety of the here and now. It encourages us to reflect and inspires us to act. It prompts us to harness the power of gratitude to become more positive, calm and confident.

Together with Lisa Woynarski and Farokh Soltani, Mike Medaglia has channeled his trademark positivity into an exhibition, “Five Bridges: Stories of the Flood”, which runs from 12th October-19th November in Kendal Museum.

In December 2015, flooding hit Cumbria when a year’s worth of rain fell in a single day.The River Kent breached its banks in Kendal, closing the town’s five bridges and flooding many local homes. Comics and audio work together in “Five Bridges” to bring five human stories to life.

Another Lakes Festival debut: The Return of the Honey Buzzardby Aimée de Jongh will also be available for the first time in Kendal. This is a stunning book, a compelling story and a thoughtful meditation on grief, love, our actions and their consequences.

It bears repeating that Bryan Lee O’Malley also visits Kendal for the first time. Bryan Lee O’Malley! The creator of Seconds and Scott Pilgrim will be promoting his brilliant new Image series Snotgirl (with art by Leslie Hung). We look forward to joining you all in the queue.

This weekend we’re escaping the muggy confines of SelfMadeTowers and jetting off to Bethesda, MD for the Small Press Expo, the USA’s premiere small press convention.

At tables W20-W21 you’ll find the full SelfMadeHero spread: new releases, limited edition prints, discounted masterpieces from the backlist… Plus, we’ll be joined by Aimée de Jongh, the Dutch creator of The Return of the Honey Buzzard, which will be available for the first time at SPX.

Officially published next month, The Return of the Honey Buzzard tells the story of Simon, the third-generation owner of the Antonisse Book Shop. With the doors about to swing shut on his family business, Simon is facing some tough decisions. But when he witnesses a suicide, old memories intrude, guilt bubbles up, and his grip on reality loosens.

A chance encounter with a young student, Regina, prompts Simon to open up about the past that haunts him. But will their budding friendship last long enough for him to come to terms with the present? Powerful, perceptive and beautifully drawn, The Return of the Honey Buzzard is a compelling graphic novel about grief, love, our actions, and their consequences.

You’ll find Aimée de Jongh signing copies of the book on our table throughout the weekend. Plus, she’ll be discussing it as part of a panel on Sunday morning.

You Can’t Not Make Comics
2:30-3:30pm, White Flint Auditorium
What is it about comics that makes us fall in love with them? Whatever elusive quality it is, these artists have made room in their incredibly creative and diverse lives for making comics that make us feel things. Aimée de Jongh, Cathy G. Johnson and Eleanor Davis speak to building lives and careers while answering the call of comics creation, with Ron Wimberly moderating the discussion.

The Small Press Expo takes place on Saturday 17th (11am-7pm) & Sunday 18th (noon-6pm) September at the Bethesda North Marriott Hotel. See you there, I hope!